Chimney construction



Jan. 12, 1932. Ep, HOWL'E 1,840,628'

CHIMNEY cosTRUCTIoN FiledfJan. 17. 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. l2, 1932. n

E. o. HowLE CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 17, 193i 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 12, 1932.

E. O. HOWLEV CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 17, 1951 sweets-sheet 5 KfW-esi @l2/02M? Patented Jan. 12, 1932 NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ERNEST 0. HOWLE, 0F CHICAGO; ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF T0 CHARLES H..

LITHGOW, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS oHmNEY coN'srnUorIoN Application med January 17, 1931. Serial No. 509,821,

This invention relates to chimney construction and particularly to a novel arrangement for preventing acidulous liquids of condensation of chimney gases from eating away the Hues and from staining and ptherwise damaging the walls of the building.

lit has been found that liquids of condensation of stack or chimney gases are deleterious to the stack or chimney and also to the walls surrounding the same. This is especially true where the fuel used is gas as utilized in heating plants for houses, clubs, apartments, buildings, hotels and the like. rll`here is a considerable amount of sulphur present in the gas so that the liquids of condensation from the products of combustion form destructive acids which eat the metal lic Hues and also damage, the masonry to some extent and stain or otherwise damage the walls in which the chimney or stack is built.

The present invention .overcomes the objections ,'now present in Hue construction Where gas is utilized as a fuel.

An object of the present invention is to provide means for preventing deleterious effects to chimneys, Hues and building structures from liquids of condensation of stack and chimney gases. Y

Another object of the invention is to provide an inner Hue of vitreous material coextensive with the stack or chimney through which the products of combustion'escape to the atmosphere.

Another object of the inventionis to ro vide a sectional inner Hue for chimneys "ich sections are metal, having vitreous coatings on the inner and outer surfaces of the-same.-

A still further object of the invention is to provide a condensation collecting chamber between the furnace and the Hue.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a condensation collecting chamber which is connected at one end with the furnace outlet and at the other end with the stack Hue, the chamber, the Hue and the connection between the furnace and chamber all being of metal with vitritied inner and outer surfaces so arranged that no metal is exposed to the products of combustion from the furnace. Y Y Another and yet further object of the invention is to provide a condensation collecting chamber having an opening to thev atmosphere therein for preventing back draft inthe furnace and also serving as a liquid overHoW from the chamber.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a chamber between the furnace and Hue with the connection between the furnace and chamber inclined downwardly from the furnace to the chamber;

An additional object is to provide a chamber connected to the outlet from a furnace with a collar surrounding the end of the-outlet as it enters the chamber, the collar being inclined downwardly to prevent back How of liquid from the chamber to the furnace.

Another and still further. object of the invention is to provide a sectional inner Hue for chimneys wherein the sections are so disposed one with respect to another that any liquid ,condensing in the Hue formed of these sections will drip downwardly along the interior of the Hue section and be prevented from escape to the exterior ofthe flue seotions.

The above other and further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description, accompanying drawings andlappended claims.

Generally speaking, the invention contemplates an inner Hue made of metal sections having the inner and outer surfaces thereof vitrified, which sections are arranged end to end and so disposed that the joints are sealed against escape of liquids therethrou h and which Hue extends throughout the heig t of the chimney or stack.

The invention further contemplates the provision of a condensation collecting chamer interposed between the furnace outlet and the Hue for collecting liquids of condensation from the Hue gases. This chamber likewise is of metal vitriied inside and out.

The invention contemplates also the provision of a vitrified metallic connection be- 'tween the furnace and chamber so disposed 100 i illustrated in Figure 1. be of any desired type of 5 liquids.

The termv furnace is used herein genericallyand is not to be construed as a word of limitation as it includes all heating appliances such as boilers, liotvair furnaces, hot water heaters, incinerators, gas ranges, clothes driers and like appliances.

An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and the views thereof are as follows:

` Figure 1 is a fragmental sectional portion of a brick chimney provided with an inner flue of the present invention illustrating also the condensate collecting chamber and the connection between it and a fragmental portion of the furnace.

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the condensate chamber tak-en substantially inthe plane of line II-II of Fig. 3;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the collecting chamber with the cover'removed;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical section through the collecting chamber taken subtantially in the plane of line IV-IV of ig. 3;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a collecting chamber with cover removed, with parts broken away, illustrating another form of means for caring for back draft and means for regulating draft through the chamber, whereby collecting chambers of substantially uniform size may be installed in connection with chimneys and fiues of various characteristics and the draft through the'chambers regulated in accordance with such iue characteristics J Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken sipbstantially in the plane of line VI--VI of Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line VIIVII of Fig. 5.

A'fragmental portion of a furnace A is heating appliance, such, for instance, as a steam boiler, hot water boiler, hot Water heater, hot air furnace, in cinerator, gas range, and the like.

A fragment of a brick chimney is indicated at B and is provided with a Hue C. The Hue C is lined at D by plaster or any other suitable material.

A collecting chamber 1 consisting in the present instance of an elongated box which.

is fashioned of metal vitrefied inside and outside, is installed in the chimney.

Figure 2 illustrates a transverse section of the box with the cover applied and the box as there illustrated consists of the metal sides The furnace may The depth of the cut as formed by the winse y and 7 is less than the depth of the cham 1 with the lower end of the cut substantially in line with the` lowest point of the furnace connection with the chamber. The baiile 5 includin the wings 6 and 7 is vitried throughout as efore described so that no metal part of the same is exposed.

The upper margins of the side walls and end walls of the box are out-turned forming ledges 8 to which are attached flanges 9 of the cover 10. ,The cover 10 is formed of metal vitrifed on both lsides and with the central portion thereof depressed as may be observed in Figures 2 and 4. The cover 1() extends part way over the chamber and and a supplemental cover 11 overlies the balance of the chamber. The cover 11 is provided with side flanges for engaging portions of the side flanges and one end flange ofthe chamber 1 and also provided with upwardly odset fiange 12 for resting on top of the adjacent edge of the cover member 10. This cover 11 likewise is vitriied so that no metal thereof is exposed to products of combustion.

Figure 4 illustrates the manner in which the covers 10 and 11 are applied to close the box 1. The cover members 10 and 11 are secured to the flanges 8 of the box 1 by bolts 13 passin through said flanges outwardly of the si e and end margins -of the box. This construction provides a chamber having a baffle therein which chamber and baille are formed of metal and which metal is vitrified throughout so that no metal portions thereof are exposed.

The chamber is made of metal in the manner just described and then the whole box is dipped in vitreous solution so that there is no Opportunity for cracks in vitriied portion of the box when completed.

One end of the box 1 is provided with an opening to receive the furnace connection -while the cover 10`is provided with a collared thus making the furnace connections between the furnace A and the chamber 1.

A pipe 17 communicates with the interior of the chamber 1 at one end and at the other end is open to the atmosphere for preventing back-draft affecting the furnace. The pipe 17 communicates with the interior of the chamber 1 in a manner so that the lower p0rtion of .the communication-is below the bottom of the pipe 15 and the collar 14. The pipe 17'thus serves a double purpose in providing an' overiiow for liquid within the chamber 1 should the liquid accumulate to any considerable height within the chamber.

This pipe 17 likewise is of metal and vitrified on the inside and oii'tside.

The cover 10 is provided with an upstandingiiange or collar 18 likewise of metal vitrified inside and outside for receiving the inner ii-ue so-called, of the present invention.

The inner flue of the present invention is illustrated as consisting of sections of metallic pipe which sections are vitriied inside and outside and arranged one above another in the flue C of the chimney B.

The chamber l is inserted in the chimney B during construction thereof, or if it is to be applied to a chimney already built, sufficient number of bricks are removed for insertion of the chamber.

The chamber 1 having been put in place with the covers 10 and 11 applied thereto, the lowermost section 19 of the inner flue is arranged within the collar 18 and the cover member 10. J

The illustrated form of the invention discloses lugs 20 secured to the lower end of the section 19 for cooperating with lugs 21 secured to the collar 18 with bolts passing through the cooperating flanges of the lugs, thus securing the section 19 to the collar 18.

The next above section 23 is illustrated as telescoped within the upper end of the section 19. This section likewise is of metal vitrified inside and outside and is provided with lugs 24 cooperating with lugs 25 on the upper end of the'lower section 19 for connecting together these sections.

A third section 26 has its lower end telescoped within the upper end of the section 23 and in like manner is supported by similar lugs 24 and 25. l

The inner iue is built up of sections in the manner just described to the desired height, as many sections being employed asv necessary to bring the upper end of the topmost section even with the upper end of the chimney vB.

lt will be observed that by arranging the iiue sections in the manner just described, any liquid of condensation from an upper section will drain down the inside of lthe next lower section and eventually allof such liqiid will drain down into the collecting cham- It is within the contemplation of the presbe of cast metal as desired. In any event the metal of which the chamber and flue sections are made is vitriied to completely `cover all of the surfaces of such parts for excluding exposure of metal to the liquids of condensation as well as tothe flue frases.

Theproducts of combustion pass fDrom the furnace A through the pipe 15 into the collecting chamber 1, thence by circuitous passage to the inner iue consisting of the sections 19, 23, 26 and the like, the gases passing from one side of the baffle 5 to the other side throughthe opening formed by the wings G and 7. The disposition of the wings 6 and 7 in the manner indicated increases the bathing effect so that the furnace gases are subjected not only to expansion by being led into the collecting chamber l but also by traveling the circuitous path the heavier suspended matter is precipitated and to some extent any entrained liquid is precipitated. The gases then pass upwardly through the inner flue and as the same reach the cooler portions of the flue condensation occurs, theconsequently the walls surrounding the chimney B are not damaged or stained nor is any of the metal of the flue harmed in any manner whatsoever.

The inclination of thev pipe 15 directs the' gases from the furnace A into the chamber 1 in a downward direction so that some of such gases are directed below the bottom of the opening in thebaftle, necessitating the rising of these gases to pass through the opening'in the baliie to the Hue. This also adds to the 'effectiveness of the baiile for causing precipitation of suspended matter.

This invention lends itself very readily to Hue installations where gas is to be utilized as the heating medium for the furnace.

There is usually an intermittent operation of the burner of the gas-fired furnace A whenit is controlled `by thermostats or'similar instrumentalities. Such intermittent burning results in heating and cooling of the chamber and flue.

With intermittent operation of the furnace it follows that any liquid collected in the chamber 1 as the flue is cooled is heated when the gas is ignited for a period of burnind, as

the heat of the incoming rases frombthe furnace A is greater during Pourning of the gas than at any other time. During the period of burning the temperature within the chamber 1 rises and the condensed liquid is vaporized and carried upwardly with the flue gases, and the chamber is emptied of the condensed liquid in this manner.

Should, perchance, it so happen that a considerable amount of liquid accumulates in the chamber 1l and rises to a considerable height the pipe 17 will then serve as an overflow to prevent the liquid from entering the furnace A through the pipe connection 15.

Should back draft occur for any reason, provision of the pipe 17 which, it is to b e noted from Fig. 3, is on the same side of the baille 5 as the flue, would result in such back draft condensation collector identicated generally at 27. I ylhe chamber has a baffle 5 constructed as described with reference to baiiie 5 in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 and is for the same purose.

The chamber 27 is provided with4 a slightly different back draft outlet than is illustrated in Figures 1 and 3. Such outlet consists of an opening 28 in the end of thev chamber remote from the flue connection and arranged on the same side of the baflie 5 as the flue connection. A door 29 is hinged at 30 along the upper margin of the opening andis suspended to swing outwardly whenever back draft oc* curs. Normally the door 29 closes the opening 28.

Whenever back draft occurs, it will 1blow the door 29 open so as to admit to the atmosphere such back draft and this back draft bcingon the same side of the baffle 5 as the flue` there willbe no edect from such hack draft communicating vwith the furnace to which the chamber is connected thru the connection 15.

lt is a well-recognized fact that chimney and flues have different characteristics as to draft` and to compensate for such ydifferences there is provided a compensating means disclosed in the present instance as consisting of a door 31 hinged at 32 along the top of an opening 33 in the sideof the chamber 27. The door 31 opens into that part of the chamber lying on the same side of the baiie 5 as the inner flue.

Means are provided for accommodating movement of the door 31 in accordance with the suction created within the chamber 27 by the draft through the flue. The illustrated means comprises a bracket 34 secured by `means of rivets 35 to a portion of the chamber 27 adjacent the opening 33 and a rod 36 attached .to the outer surface of the door 31 passes thru said bracket and extends beyond thesame. A spring 37 surrounds the rod between the bracket 34 and an adjusting nut 38 so that by turning the nut in the proper direction the spring 37 may be compressed or elongated thus stidening or weakening the checking means in accordance with the suction created within the chamber 27 by the flue draft.

Utilization of such a means at this just described enables the manufacture of condensate collecting chambers of substantially uniform size and the adaptation of such chambers to flues of various characteristics. Proper adjustment of the spring 37 allows inward movement of the door 31 under suction when such suction reaches a predetermined point as determined by the characteristics of the flue'.

The chamber 27 and the doors 29 and 31 as well as the door opening are of metal properly vitrified so that the destructive action of the iue gases within the chamber 27 will not affect the metal of which these parts are constructed.

The bottom of the door opening 28 is below the lower margin of the collar 14 with which communicates the furnace connection 15 so that should any liquid accumulate within the chamber 27, such liquid will overflow through the opening 28 without entering the furnace.

It will be observed that this invention is one wherein liquids of condensation from furnace gases are collected in a part of the flue system in a position to be vaporized by increased heat passing through the flue at intermittent intervals as is usual with gas and oil fired furnaces. It is also useful in connection with any type of furnace whatsoever as even where there is a steady burning in the furnace, the condensation to some extent takes place in the flue. depending on the character of fuel being utilized.

The gist of the present invention resides in the provision of a vitreous inner iiue so designed as to prevent escape from any liquid of condensation to the outside of the Hue, together with a collecting chamber for the collection of the condensate in the path of passage of the iue gases from the furnace to the flue whereby such condensate is subjected to the heat of such gases for vaporization and removal.

The invention has been described herein more or 'less precisely as to detail, yet it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereby as changes may be'made in the arrangement and proportion of parts and equivalents may be substituted without ing having an inlet connected to the furnace outlet and having an outlet connected to said chimney, said casing providing a chamber 'to receive and collectcondensate from said chimney, said casing having another outlet positioned adjacent the aforesaid inlet, and baille means in said casing to direct the liow of hot gases through said casing to cause evaporation of the condensate, said baille means also being means to direct down-draft from said 'chimney to said last mentioned outlet.

3. A iiue construction forconnection between the spent-gas outlet of a furnace and a chimney, said construction comprising an elongated casing having an inlet at one end for connectipn to the spent-gas outlet of the furnace and having an outlet at the other end for connection to a chimney, the outlet being above and at an angle to the inlet of the casing, said casing providing a chamber to receive and collect condensate, said casing having an outlet on one end adjacent the inlet for spent gases, `balle means in said casing in the path taken by gases therethrough to deflect the gases to cause evaporation of condensate which has collected in the casing, said baille means also providing means to direct ldown-draft from the chimney through said casing to the last mentioned outlet, and a door hinged on said casing opening outwardly thereof, said door beincr arranged to normally close said down-draft outlet.

4. A flue construction for connection bechimney and subsequent evaporation of the condensate, said device comprising a casing having an inlet for connection to a furnace and an outlet for connection to a chimney, the inlet and the outlet being positioned a substantial distance above the bottom of said casing whereby space is provided thereinto receive and collect condensate, baffle means in said casing adapted to cause a reversal of the direction of flow of gases therethrough, said casing having its surfacesexposed to the gases and condensate of vitried material.

6. A iue constructionfor connection between the spent-gas outlet of a furnace and a chimney, said construction comprising an elongated casinghaving an inlet at one end for connection to the spent-gas outlet of the furnace and having an outlet at the other end for connection to a chimney, said casing providing a chamber to receive and collect condensate, said casing having an outlet on one end adjacent the inlet for spent gases, baille means in said casing in the path taken by gases therethrough to deflect the gases to cause evaporation of condensate which has collected in the casing,`said baffle means also providing means to direct down-draft from the chimney through said casing to the last mentioned outlet, a door hinged on said casing, opening outwardly thereof, to normally close the down-,draft outlet, saidcasing also having an inlet for air positioned' adjacent the down-draft outlet,'and a door hinged on said casing, opening inwardly thereof, and being balanced against atmospheric pressure to normally close the air inlet. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, Cook County,

Illinois.

ERNEST O. I-IOWLE.

tween the spent-gas outlet of a furnace4 and v a chimney, said construction comprising a casing having' an inlet at one end for connection to the spent-gas outlet and having an outlet at the other end, spaced above and at an angle to the inlet, for connection to a chimz cause evaporation of condensate collectedin the casing, said casing having an interior area greater than that of its inlet whereby hot gas entering said casing passes, therethrough with diminished velocity.

5. A device for connection between th spent-gas outlet of a furnace and a chimney for the collection of condensate from the 

